Rehabilitation Researchers Advocate on Capitol Hill

APTA's Section on Research hosted a fly-in February 12-13 in
Washington, DC, to advocate on behalf of rehabilitation research and to push
for a delay in potential sequestration cuts to programs within the National
Institutes of Health (NIH).

Eleven researchers from 9 states spent the day meeting with staff
of the Senate and House appropriations committees and their individual members
of Congress to discuss the value and impact of innovative multidisciplinary
research to the overall US economy and its ability to remain globally
competitive in the future. The researchers strongly urged Congress to continue
funding agencies that support rehabilitation research within NIH, in light of
5%-7% sequestration cuts set to take effect on March 1.

In addition, the researchers informed members and their staff
about the key findings of the Blue Ribbon Panel Report on Medical Rehabilitation. The researchers received positive feedback from
Appropriations Committee members on the panel's recommendation to enhance the
role and exposure of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research
(NCMRR) within NIH.

Rep Rodney Alexander (R-LA), far left, with members of APTA's
Section on Research. Alexander spoke at a breakfast held for the fly-in participants.

Comments

Thank you to each researcher pictured above and APTA staff. I also thank the many people on APTA BOD and research community for the help in sourcing our participants. It wad a wonderful team and time was well spent. We achieved our aims. If you want to go this year, planning is currently underway. Please contact me to learn more.